43. disappointments

[semper_fi_house]

I always wanted a son. A lot of sons, in fact - a lot of daughters too. I wanted to teach them well, to see them succeed, to watch them grow up into people I respected and could be proud of. And they'd respect me and be proud of me as well, proud to have me as a father.

Comments

[dr_greghouse_md]

OOC: You got fangirled.

This is such an awesome response. So, so awesome. You write him so well.

[semper_fi_house]

!! Aw, man, thank you! I'm so happy you liked it that much. I've obviously been fangirling your House for a while, which is partly why John is here now. :D

It's funny writing such a biased POV. I think John's got a number of valid points, but obviously it's not the whole picture. He and House have more similarities than he'd like to acknowledge - being skilled at denial and rationalization, for one thing. John's version of events conveniently leaves out a few details, like the fact that his "discipline" had a tendency to stray over that boundary line labeled child abuse...

Heh, but aaanyway. Thank you very much. And I wasn't aware of that comm either for some reason, so thanks for pointing that out to me too. :)

ooc

[dr_greghouse_md]

He's very typical of his era and age, that's for sure. He obviously wanted what was best for House, but he's very black and white about he sees things. And yeah, so true -- he's very good at denial and rationalization.

Lol, my House just doesn't have a nice thing to say to him. The resentment is like a white elephant.

And yeeee, I'm glad you like my take on House! :D :D It makes me gleeful when someone enjoys how I write him. So, thank you!! I'm so glad you decided to give rp a go!

[dr_greghouse_md]

*dripping with sarcasm* You've always been there for me, dad. How will I ever thank you.

[semper_fi_house]

Look, Greg. I don't know what you want me to say.

I wasn't exactly intending for you to read that, but I guess it's for the best that you did because it's the truth and you need to hear it.

[dr_greghouse_md]

You're so right.

*just gives his dad a long, accusatory look*

[brass_star]

We barely talk now, and every time we do, it seems to turn into a fight somehow

Damn, but I know what that's like. I have a kid, a daughter. When I saw her for the first time at eighteen, after three years of nothing but long distance comunication (and not much of that, to be honost) she greeted me by spitting on my badge. We're only just now getting to the point where we can be in the same room without yelling at each other.

She came to see me in the hospital last May. She didn't hang around for me to wake up, but just the fact she came made me think there was hope for a relationship.

Your son- at least he sees you when you visit, right? I mean, that's a point in the right direction.

Semper Fi, Colonel.

[semper_fi_house]

Semper fi.

That's a shame about your daughter. That says something that she went to see you, though, I think. So maybe you're right to hope.

My son, he'll see us, but... Last time my wife and I visited him, he tried to back out last minute when we showed up, saying he was too busy with work. His mother practically had to beg him, just to get him to take a quick break for a sandwich in the hospital cafeteria. We probably wouldn't see each other at all, if it weren't for her. It's hard because I know she really misses him and wishes she could see him more. That's what I feel the worst about. It's one thing for him to cut me out of his life, but to cut his mother out too, just because he and I don't get along...

*sighs and shakes his head*

Well. Thanks for the commiseration, Captain.

And it's always a pleasure to meet another marine.

I hope things work out between you and your daughter.

[pancake_master]

I don't think misery can really be quantified. I've seen people with terminal cancer who smiled until their final moments and I've seen people who thought the world was ending because they'd have to take hormone supplements for the rest of their lives. In my eyes, a pill a day is nothing to cry over, while rapidly approaching death is worth some depression. But not everyone agrees. Happiness/unhappiness a very individual thing and it's unfair to say one person has more of a reason or right to be unhappy than another. The fact that there are people who are worse off than your son doesn't minimize his pain.

I'm not always the most sympathetic when it comes to him, either. Frankly, I agree with a lot of what you've said. But the one thing I do try to keep in mind is that just because he hides behind his pain (physical and otherwise) and alternately denies it and uses it as an excuse for a lot of things it's really no excuse for doesn't mean it's not very real.

[semper_fi_house]

I suppose you're right, Wilson. I know he's in pain, but... I just wish he wouldn't let it affect the way he treats other people, or act like it's an excuse. Ah, well...